BEIJING: Pakistan has reaffirmed its firm commitment to the One China policy, stating that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, according to a joint communiqué issued following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Beijing.
The statement, released after high-level meetings between Pakistani and Chinese leadership, said both countries reiterated unwavering support for each other’s core national interests. Pakistan reaffirmed its adherence to the One China policy, while China reiterated its support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security.
According to the joint statement, Pakistan also extended support to China’s positions on Xinjiang, Xizang (Tibet), Hong Kong, and the South China Sea.
Both sides agreed to further advance high-quality development under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and CPEC Phase-II, including progress on key connectivity and infrastructure projects such as the Karakoram Highway (Thakot–Raikot section), development of Gwadar Port as a regional hub, and improved utilisation of the Khunjerab Pass.
The two countries also agreed to expand cooperation in industrial parks, textiles, household appliances, minerals, oil and gas, agriculture, energy, digital economy, artificial intelligence, scientific innovation, and communications sectors.
China, according to the communiqué, announced facilitation of access for Pakistani agricultural products to its market and encouraged agricultural investment. It also pledged to provide 3,000 training opportunities for Pakistan between 2025 and 2029.
During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meetings with Chinese leadership, both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in education, culture, space technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
China also offered to train two Pakistani astronauts and expressed willingness to send a Pakistani astronaut to its space station in the future, a move welcomed by Islamabad as a milestone in bilateral scientific cooperation.
